The Washington critic., 1887-12-08
A Pleasant Picture of Mrs, Cleveland'S
Domestic Life.
ANOTHER LINCOLN STORY NEW
TO MOST FOLKS.
The Batteries and Forts That We're
Charged Up to Steve Dorsey,
Other Anecdotes and "reminiscences
Good for u Cloudy Day.


New York Sun says, has aroused the |
old-timcrs here to lively "reminiscences |
of the building of the first line across |
the plains. One pole, 100 miles west of |
Laramie, was set up four times and each
time hacked down by Indian toma-
hawks Each time there was u bloody
skirmish with the redskins for tempo
rary possession of the stump. At last
the pole was given to young man who
is now high up in the management of
Western Union. He laid mine in the
hole, set up the new pole, trailed the
fuse to an ambush of rocks
close by, and waited with two
armed friends. Then band of eight
Sioux came along and held u war-dance
around the pole. When the mine was
fired all but three were killed and those
three carried Off mimic balls with them.
The powder blew up the pole again, hut
it cleaned the hole out nicely for II new
one, which was thereafter left alone.
This story was told with great eclat at
Delmonico's, and was the signal for
more bottles and more stories. 1t is
curious what enthusiastic story-tellers
are to be found among New Workers who
have seen life in the Rockies.
w.
During the darkest days Of the war,
says the Troy Times, there was squab-
BILE in Syracuse over the appointment of
n postmaster. Two factions Of the Re-
publican party had candidates, and each
had sent to Washington numerously-
signed petitions for the appointment of
its favoritc. Finally, to get the matter
settled, Il delegation composed of the
wealthiest men of the town and several
of the most prominent ministers and
lawyers, headed by General Leavcn-
worth, visited the National Capital and
secured an audience with President Lin
coin. General Leavenworth had care
fully prepared his speech to Mr.. Lin
coin, and the Philadelphia Press says it
ran something like this:
"Mr. President: 1t is with great rcluc-
tance that we intrudc upon you this morn
ing. Weappreciate the awful responsibilities
and pcrplexitics of your position, and do not
forget that the very life of the nation is in
your hands. But. Mr.. President the people
of the great, loyal North are at your back,
und they are praying sir, that your life may
6esparcd, and that you may be given strength
80 carry this war through TO u successful is
sue"
Mr. Lincoln listened to General Leav-
enworth with some impatience until he
reached this point, and then interrupted
him with:
81 assure you, my dear sir, that it isn't the
war or the army that Is worrying the life out
of me; it is that Syracuse. postoilice that is
keeping me awake nights"
General Lcavenworth did not finish
his speech. The delegation presented
their ease in the briefest manner, and
felt more comfortable when they reached
Pennsylvania avenue than they did in
the presence of the President
w.
Says Colonel Ayres of the Kansas City
Times: On December IL. Lieutenant
John NJ. Carson, ir., of the Fifth Cav-
airy, will wed Miss Margaret Sumner,
daughter of Brevet Brigadicr-General
Edwin V. Sumner, Major of the Fifth
Cavalry. The ceremonies take place ut
Fort Leavenworth and it will be quite
swell affair. A large number of the rel
ativcs of both families will attend the
wedding, among whom are Major and
Mrs. Carson of Washington, the parents
of the groom. Lieutenant Carson is the
only son of Major John NJ. Carson, for
many years the estimable Washing
ton correspondent of the New York
Times, now the representative of the
Philadelphia Ledger and, pending the
-StNtItl NoHpEtSS, NltTh Vi Ilt
Committee on Ways and Means. The
bride is the granddaughter of the late
Maior-General Sumner, United States
Army, and niece of Major $. $. Sumner
of the Eighth Cavalry. Young Carson
grew up at Washington, great favorite
with everybody, and when giizetted as II
cadet to West Point in 1881, his career
was watched with more than
ordinary interest. He graduated with
high honors in the class of 1885,
was assigned to the Fifth Cavalry
and at once joined his regiment in
the West. He is highly esteemed by his
superior officers and promises well in
the future. The long and distinguished
newspaper connection of his father in
duces the journalistic fraternity at the
National Capital to wish the bride and
groom every happiness and all success
In life.
w.
Says the Washington correspondent Of
the New York Sun, The home life of
Mrs. Cleveland, who is naturally at the
head of the social world, is very lovely
and worthy of imitation. She is n re-
markable woman for one of her age, and
the most vigorous of her critics have
failed up to this time, after the most
severe of tests, to be able to pick flaw
or discover any discrepancy in her acts.
One of the delights of Mrs. Cleveland's
life has been her residence at Oak View.
Together with her mother she has made
it II perfect bower of beauty and home
comfort Nothing pleases the President
more, after u days work, than to 90
driving over the country roads to the lit
tie house on the hill side. In the coun.
try house Mrs. Cleveland herself SUPER
intends all the arrangements, and wori
To the servants from her is enough to
make them do their utmost to please
her. One would hsIily think that in
the continual wand of official duties.
where reGs. .Sions and visits follow closely
on oDe another, that she would have
aiy time for housekeeping at the White
House, but, like II child with new toy,
she seems to be especially fond Of di-
rectlng, and experimenting personally
all the little matters which old house
keepers find great relief in turning over
10 some one else. Mrs Cleveland even
goes into the kitchen, and it is said that
Were she obliged to make the President
his coffee, or cook him pie, the dish
she would serve up would be MS palata- /
bic and rs inviting in looks MS any the |
chef could serve. Oftentimes in the ]
morning she will don long calico !
apron and wander about the house, |
dustng and cleaning the apartments, |
following the servants TO see that no dirt |
IL leit IN the corners ordust remains upon |
the furniture. All this charms the |
President, who, although blisinesslike |
and full OF work at all times. delights in |